Cabrera urged MLB to rule him ineligible for NL batting title

National League All-Star Melky Cabrera of the San Francisco Giants holds the MVP trophy after the National defeated the American League in Major League Baseball's All-Star Game in Kansas City, Missouri July 10, 2012. (REUTERS/Dave Kaup)

Before being suspended Aug. 15, Cabrera, 28, had a league-leading .346 average in 501 plate appearances, one short of the requirement to be considered eligible for the batting title. But, under Rule 10.22(a), MLB normally would add one hitless at-bat to Cabrera's total and recalculate his average, which at this point still would be the best in the league.

Under the agreement reached by MLB and the union, plate appearances will not be altered this year.

"I respect his gesture as a sign of his regret and his desire to move forward, and I believe that, under these circumstances, the outcome is appropriate, particularly for Mr. Cabrera's peers who are contending for the batting crown," commissioner Bud Selig said.

The issue first arose Wednesday when Selig said he wasn't likely to oppose the possibility of Cabrera winning the battle crown.